When I play games my screen freezes and i have to restart

[goblintechies]

When i play games my screen freezes and i have to restart the graphics get all screwed up and there are lines and dots all over and i have to restart..

i downloaded ati tool and when i press show 3d view and the cube spins a few seconds later the same thing happens.. my computer freezes with the lines and dots.

my graphic card is a zotac 8600 gt i did not over clock it i've had it for around 2-3 years no problems until today when it kept doing that.

I tried removing the graphic card and cleaned it. i don't think its overheating either

help would be appreciated. thanks and merry christmas

 

[MindoverMaster]

It could be overheating, are you sure the fan is working? Might need to re-apply thermal grease to the GPU.

 

[Ste]

We would need a lot more information.

Full COmputer specs.

What power supply?

What games? All games patched?

Windows Updated?